Jetty structure



Feb. 23, 1937. G, w, REHFELD 2,071,656

JETTY STRUCTURE Filed OCb. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23, 1937. G. w. REHFELD JETTY STRUCTURE Filed OGh 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR me m//m Mf/d. Y

Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JETTY STRUCTURE George William Rehfeld, Manhattan, Kans.

Application October 23, 1935, Serial No. 46,297

8 Claims.

This invention relates to jetties of the character used. to control the courses of rivers or streams for preventing erosion of land bounding the rivers and more particularly to a jetty of open framework structure constructed of automobile chassis frames or similar structural framework.

` It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a jetty constructed of automobile chassis frames, a series of which may be secured together and tied to a bank, and which eiiiciently controls the direction of current flow of a river, whereby erosion of land is prevented and accretion of land is effected.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a protection for bridges, highways,

railroad lines and the like; to provide an open structure having a pyramidal or triangular center portion structure which is strong and selfsupporting and which is capable of being overturned without losing its efficiency; and to provide novel means for securing a series of indivdual jetty units to a river or stream bank.

v In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention I have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a series of jetty units which are anchored to a bank and shown in operating position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of an individual jetty unit constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional View of the jetty unit showing the relative angular relationship of the members and the novel means of bracing and tying the members in position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a pair of jetty units and my improved connecting means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the auxiliary tying means for connecting a series of jetties, showing connecting rods in crossed and tying relation to each other.

Fig. 6 is a modified form of my connecting bars showing the use of a loop in conjunction with a single tie rod.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of tying means for the frame sills.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a jetty constructed in accordance with my invention and which includes a series of jetty units each consisting of a structure formed of preferably four automobile chassis frames 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The chassis frames are of ordinary construction having the usual spaced longitudinal sills 'l and 8 and spaced cross pieces secured between the flanges I and II of the side sills.

In building an individual jetty unit 2, the chassis frames 3, 4 and 5 are placed in juxtaposed and crossed relation to form a modified X, the adjacent side sills 'I and 8 of the respective chassis beingsecured together at the crossing points of the side sills by a securing means, for example, a bolt I2 extending through aligning holes therein. The angularly extending portions of the chassis form legs I3 and I4, the legs I3 on one side of the point of the junction I being longer than the legs I4 on.the other side for a purpose later described. I prefer to mount the frames on a set of three, the end frames 3 and 5 being parallel to each other, and having the wider rear ends I6 of said chassis frame serving as the short legs I4 of the structure.

The transverse frame 6 is then positioned between the longer legs I3 of the frames and secured by bolts I'I to form a triangular base I8 for supporting and bracing the jetty unit. The position of the frame 6 relatively to the previously joined frames is such that the distance from the point I9 of engagement of the sills of the transverse frame with sills of the angularly arranged frames to the end of the leg I3 is substantially the same as the distance from the point of junction I5 of the crossed frames to the end of the legs I4. This construction forms a unit of an exceptional strength by reason of the triangular self-supporting construction of the central portion of the unit and prevents buckling of the longer legs due to the bracing by the trans- Verse frame 6.

Braces 2| are suitably secured to the transverse frame and to intermediate portions of the outer sills of the end chassis 3 and 5, shown in Fig. 3, to form triangles with the horizontal and angularly arranged frames. It is apparent that laces 22 consisting of wire or rods may be provided and' secured to the outwardly extending legs for aiding in the deposit of debris around the jetty.

The construction thus far described presents a self-supporting jetty unit having a triangular central section and outwardly extending legs of substantially uniform length. It is apparent that with such a structure in use, the river current may overturn van individual jetty unit but said unit Will still retain its strength and stability in any position.

In devices of this character a number of units are used which are joined together and one end of the series or line secured to a river or stream bank. Ordinarily ends of the transverse chassis extend beyond the outer sills of the angularly arranged chassis and in securing the jetty units together I preferably employ a bent rod 23 in the form of a tie 24 secured to such projecting ends and to adjoining frame side sills, the rod being wound around said frames as at 25 and extended rearwardly toward its other end where it is suitably joined by a U clamp 26, as shown in Fig. 4.

While the anchor rods as described support the series of jetty units in relation to the bank of a river, and each of the individual ties suitably secure the units together in a continuous series, I prefer to add an additional tie by extending the anchor rods 2T and 28 throughout the length of the jetty units comprising the jetty line. The rods are preferably passed about the juncture I5 of the chassis sills and crossed therebetween as at 29, U clamps being placed at the points of crossing for securing the rods and frames.

In securing a line of jetty units, which are joined, as shown in Fig. 1, to a river bank, I

'provide a rod connection, the preferred form of which is shown in Fig. 5, wherein rods 21 and 28 having a surface deformed as by spaced projec tions 3| are suitably secured to the series of jetty units and crossed as at 32 where they are vclamped in position by the U clamps 33. The

projections on the rods engage the clamps and prevent slipping and loss of the jetty. The rods are further extended to the river bank whereupon they are suitably secured to a dead man 34.

While I have shown the rods. just described as a preferred form of my invention it is apparent that there may be occasions when the rods need not be crossed, and therefore, only one retaining clamp may be used.

In making up the rods for tying the units, the rods are provided in standard lengths of approximately 60 feet and are staggered so that in splicing the rods the splices are not together which thereby assures retention of the units, should one line of rods be broken. For this reason a continuous line for supporting therjetties is maintained regardless of the possibility of slipping of one of the lines of rods. This is an important feature of the present invention for the reason that it prevents loss of units in the river. I have found that by using rods as described rather than cables, ropes or other securing means the effective life of the jetties is lengthened many times over that when other securing means are used. This is for the reason that the rods have greater solidness, inherent strength and compact resistance to corrosion, rust and other deteriorating influences encountered in such work and are better able to withstand such destructural influences which are particularly noticeable in streams containing acid salts.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of connection between the members and a tie rod wherein a loop 35 is wrapped around a sill or member of the units and has its ends secured to a single rod 31 by the U clamp 38.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modified form of connection for adjacent sills of the chassis frames making up the jetty unit wherein holes 39 are formed in the side sills and rods are Wrapped around the sills and extend through the holes after which they are tied as shown at 4U.

In assembling an apparatus constructed as described, a pair of automobile chassis frames 3 and 4 are bolted together at right angles to each other in such a manner that one pair of long legs I3 are provided and another pair of shorter legs I4 are provided, after which a third chassis frame 6 is bolted in the angle formed between the longer legs of the bolted chassis frames and a fourth frame 5 is bolted to the transverse chassis frame 6 in parallel relation to the rst chassis frame 3. An angle bar 2l is then provided at each end of the completed unit in connection with the transverse frame and the parallel frames 3 and 5 to form a triangular brace for the whole unit.

Several units are placed in line and tied together by means of bent rods attached to adjacent sills of adjoining transverse chassis frames. If desired, rods may also be provided for tying the crossed portions of the relative chassis frames, crossed on each other and extended in intermittently crossed relation throughout the series of individual jetty units to a point on vthe bank where they are secured to a supporting structure, such as a dead man 34 which is buried some distance up the bank 4l from the stream.

In using an apparatus of this character the device as assembled is laid in the bed of a stream by suitable means such as rafts in a manner which is predetermined to affect the course of the river in which it is placed. Due to the silt carried by the flowing waters and the tortuous course ofthe rivers, land will be built up at various points along the river and other land along the river banks will be carried away. By strategically placing a line of jetties, accretions and erosion may be effectively controlled. By using an open frame work jetty as in my invention the course of the stream may be controlled without the customary danger of washing outthe jetties due to the terrific strain on the jetties ordinarily causing their buckling or collapse. By using the bars in staggered and tied relation throughout the frame work of the jetties and extending the ends thereof to a dead man on the bank greater durability is effected and the rodsA also effectively resist acid bearing salts carried in ordinary water. Should the current be so great as to overturn any or all of the jetty units, it is apparent that the jetty effect will not be diminished due to the uniform length of legs and the same resistance throughout the construction. It often happens that silt and debris become lodged in the jetties. This is an advantage due to building up a greater damming surface which causes a further gradual accretion in back of the jetties for building up valuable land.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided an open frame work jetty which is of simple construction, of light weight and economical structure, which eilciently deilects water of a river in predetermined directions for controlling erosion and accretion.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A jetty unit including a series of frames having cross and side members arranged with the side members of one frame in crossed angular relation with the side members of an adjacent frame to provide legs .of different lengths, a transverse frame positioned in the angle formed by said legs, means for securing the'frames together, bracing members connecting the transverse frame with the side members of the outermost crossed frames, and anchoring rods connected with the crossing points of the crossed frames for anchoring the jetty unit.

2. In a jetty unit of the character described, a plurality of automobile chassis frames having side sills connected together in crossed relation whereby legs of differential length are provided, a chassis frame fixed longitudinally in the angle between the longer legs of the first named chassis frames, brace members connected with the longitudinal chassis frame and with the outer side sills of the outside crossed chassis frames, and rods connected with the first named chassis frames at the points of crossing of the sills thereof and extending from one end thereof for securing said jetty to a river bank.

3. In a jetty structure of the character described, a plurality of automobile chassis frames having side sills connected together in crossed angular relation whereby legs of differential length are provided, a chassis frame xed longitudinally in the angle between the longer legs of the rst named chassis frames, brace members connected with the longitudinal chassis frame and with the cuter side sills of the outside crossed chassis frames, laces secured to and extending between the legs for accumulating debris, and rods connected with the rst named chassis frames at the points of crossing of the sills thereof and extending from one end thereof for securing said jetty to a river bank.

4. A jetty unit including a plurality of substantially rectangular juxtaposed frames having side members and arranged with the side member of one frame in crossing relation with the side member of an adjacent frame at points intermediate their ends., means connecting the frames at said crossing points, and means interconnecting the side members of one frame with the side members of an adjacent frame for retaining the frames in fixed angular relationship with each other.

5. A jetty unit including a plurality of substantially rectangular juxtaposed frames having side members arranged With the side member of one frame crossing the side member of an adjacent frame at a point intermediate their ends, means connecting the frames together at said crossing points, a similar frame having side members extending transversely of the side members of the juxtaposed frames, and means connecting the side members of said transverse frame with the side members of the juxtaposed frames.

6. A jetty including a plurality of substantially rectangular juxtaposed frames having side members arranged with the side member of one frame crossing the side member of an adjacent frame at a point intermediate their ends toform a cross-shaped jetty structure, a similar frame inset in one of the angles formed by the crossed relationship of said frames and having its side members extending transversely of the juxtaposed frames, and means connecting the side members of the inset frame with the side members of the juxtaposed frames. n

7. A jetty unit including a plurality of substantially rectangular juxtaposed frames arranged in crossed relation, means securing the frames together at the crossing points of said frames, anchor rods engaging the frames on opposite sides of said crossing points, means securing the anchor rods together at points intermediate said crossing points of the juxtaposed frames, and means connecting the frames at points spaced radially from said crossing points to retain the frames in xed angular relationship.

8. A jetty unit including a plurality of substantially rectangular juxtaposed frames having side members arranged with the side member of one frame crossing the side member of an adjacent frame at a point intermediate their ends, means connecting the frames at said crossing points to form a substantially cross shaped jetty structure having angularly extending leg portions, and a similar frame inset into one of the angles formed by said leg portions and having one of its side members secured to the legs extending in one direction and its opposite side member secured to the adjacent legs for rigidly retaining the angular relationship of said leg portions.

GEORGE WILLIAM REHFELD. 

